| 1st Bombardment Wing | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1918; 1919–1924; 1931–1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Role | Bomber Command and Control |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Thomas DeW. Milling Carl A. Spaatz Henry H. Arnold Laurence S. Kuter Haywood S. Hansell Frank A. Armstrong |
The 1st Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. It was the first wing formed in the reorganized United States Army Air Service, created in August 1919 to control three groups patrolling the border with Mexico after revolution broke out there. Its last assignment was with the Continental Air Forces, based at McChord Field, Washington. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
As the 1st Wing, the unit was one of the original wings of the GHQ Air Force on 1 March 1935. During World War II, it was one of the primary B-17 Flying Fortress heavy strategic bombardment wings of VIII Bomber Command and later, Eighth Air Force.
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VIII Bomber Command
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* Note: Reassigned to Twelfth Air Force
Organized at Toul Airdrome, France, during World War I. Served in combat, July–November 1918. Operated first in the defensive sector near Toul. During the St Mihiel offensive in Sep, flew reconnaissance sorties, protected observation aircraft, attacked enemy observation balloons, strafed enemy troops, flew counter-air patrols, and bombed towns, bridges, and railroad stations behind the enemy's lines. During the Meuse-Argonne offensive (26 September – 11 November 1918) bombardment aircraft continued their attacks behind the lines while pursuit ships concentrated mainly on large-scale counter-air patrols.
Reactivated in 1919. Engaged in border patrol activities until it became an advanced flying training wing in 1922. Inactivated in 1924. Reactivated in 1931 as the 1st Bombardment Wing, then became the 1st Wing on 1 March 1935 as a component of GHQ Air Force, and conducted much of the Army's pursuit, bombardment, attack, and observation activities in the western part of the US until 1941.
Moved to England, July–August 1942, and became a heavy bombardment wing of Eighth AF. Served in combat in the European theater from August 1942 until 25 April 1945, receiving a DUC for an attack on aircraft factories in Germany on 11 January 1944. Returned to the US in August 1945. Inactivated On 7 November 1945.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.